Hyderabad, Oct. 18: Kolkata Police arrested seven people in connection with the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata that reportedly killed 19 people.
Police said 14 people were detained for questioning from Saturday night. Seven were arrested after interrogation, according to a police statement issued on Sunday.
Kolkata Stampede | Puja Committee Officials Among Those Arrested
The arrested include Raj Kumar Sewda, secretary of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Puja Committee, and vice-president Santanu Dubey. Three people involved in crowd management were also arrested: Biplab Mukherjee, Pintu Dey and Koushik Saha. Saha was additionally responsible for checking VIP passes at the entry gates.
Police also arrested Suman Chakraborty and Rajesh Pal, who were responsible for private security arrangements at the pandal.
Kolkata Police have registered a suo motu case and are investigating the incident. The accused face charges of culpable homicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Autopsies of the 19 victims began at the Kolkata Police Morgue. Forensic experts are expected to visit the scene and collect samples as part of the investigation.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said a fact-finding committee had been formed. He added that investigators had collected CCTV footage and that further action would follow its examination.
Adhikari also said the administration would reconsider the scale and planning of theme-based Durga Puja celebrations, which attract large crowds. He stressed that public safety must take priority over elaborate themes.
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